Virtual Book Tour for Family Interrupted by Linda Barrett

Join Linda Barrett, author of the women’s fiction novel, Family Interrupted, as she tours the blogosphere  October 7 – November 29, 2013 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Family Interrupted

By Linda Barrett

Publisher:  Linda Barrett

Release Date: April 4, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Length: 350 Pages

About the Book: 

Two years after their 12 year old daughter’s accidental death by a motorist, Claire and Jack Barnes go through the motions of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. When artist Claire produces her gift–a full-scale oil painting of their daughter–Jack has had enough. With his daughter gone, his wife focused on the past and his 20 year old son living on his own, Jack feels like a stranger in his own home and moves out the day after the party.

Claire understands they’re heading for divorce. Two days later, when she’s alone in the house, a young woman comes to the door and hands over her infant. This is their son’s baby. The girl says, “I told Ian she’d be too much work, and I’ve got other plans.” She disappears. Ian is ready to put the baby up for adoption because his daughter deserves a good, solid family, better than what the Barneses have become. Jack and Claire must figure out what to do next.

Intersecting the main stories of the Barnes family is the subplot involving the driver of the car. No alcohol, no speeding involved. But guilt seeps into the driver’s soul and changes her life. Who will forgive this woman?

Purchase your copy at AMAZON 

ABOUT LINDA BARRETT

Linda Barrett is the author of 13 novels of contemporary romance. She’s earned many industry awards through Romance Writers of America, including the Holt Medallion, The Award of Excellence and the Write Touch Reader’s award. Family Interrupted is her first women’s fiction story. A graduate of Hunter College, Linda now lives in the Tampa area with her husband. They have three grown sons and the most adorable, intelligent, super-duper grandchildren ever!

http://www.linda-barrett.com

FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

My Review

I have to be honest and say that reviewing Family Interrupted is bittersweet in a way.  I easily connected with this tale of 5 people affected by a tragic accident where no one really is to blame. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is good and the emotions seem very real (I say seem because I’ve been very fortunate and haven’t lost any close family members).   The author, Linda Barrett, did a good job keeping my attention focused on her story and what takes place in these people’s lives.

When a tragic accident takes the life of Claire and Jack Barnes daughter, Kayla, everything changes in ways no one imagined.  Claire, Jack and Ian, their only remaining child, all blame themselves, and each other, for Kayla’s tragic death.  Claire blames herself for not having been home and somehow preventing the accident, Jack blames himself for not being able to help Claire manage her pain and grief, while Ian feels guilty for having let his parents down.  Especially since he knows deep down his mother blames him. 

Even though she was cleared of any responsibility for the accident, Sarah Levine, the woman driving the vehicle which hit Kayla, feels grief and responsibility.  Unable to forgive herself, she pulls away from her family and doesn’t let anyone help her handle her pain.  Her husband soon worries she’s becoming suicidal. 

While time passes, none of these characters really move one.  Even though Ian moves out of his parent’s house and gets a job after graduation, he’s still dealing with guilt and can’t get his life together.  Claire and Jack have continued drifting apart and appear to be headed towards a divorce; something Claire seems to expect.

What will it take to bring the Barnes family back together?  Can anything fix what’s been broken by grief, guilt and time?  And can anyone get through to Sarah Levine before it’s too late?  You’ll have to read Family Interrupted to find out, I enjoyed it and I think you will too. 

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

  

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copyo of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.